Medical Assistant Certification (MAC) AMCA Practice Exam

Which type of question is, "How long has the pain been going on, and on a scale of 1 to 10, how would you describe the pain?"

1. Closed Question

2. Multiple Choice Question

3. Open Ended Question

4. Yes/No Question

The correct answer is: Open Ended Question

This question is categorized as an open-ended question because it allows the patient to provide a detailed and subjective response regarding both the duration and intensity of their pain. Open-ended questions encourage dialogue and require more than a simple one-word answer, inviting patients to elaborate on their experiences. In this case, the patient has the opportunity to explain not only how long they have been experiencing pain but also to describe its severity on a numeric scale. This approach fosters a better understanding of the patient’s condition and can lead to more effective treatment planning. Closed questions, on the other hand, would limit responses to specific options, such as "yes" or "no," which does not apply here. Multiple choice questions typically present several distinct options for the patient to choose from, while yes/no questions elicit binary responses, neither of which aligns with the nature of this inquiry. The format of this question clearly emphasizes a more descriptive interaction with the patient, making it open-ended and conducive to gathering comprehensive information.